CELI B2: Italian Language Certification
Passing the CELI B2 exam after years of self-directed Italian language learning
What it is
I passed the CELI B2 exam in 2023. CELI is an Italian language certification administered by the University of Perugia. B2 is the level you need to enroll in an Italian university.
What I did
I started learning Italian in college because my girlfriend at the time was from Tuscany. After graduation, I moved to Bologna and stayed for three years, working as an English tutor. When I came back to the US, I kept it up through reading and Italian news, but I had never taken a formal exam. I worked with a tutor at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in San Francisco for about two months before sitting the exam.
How it works
The CELI B2 is long. It covers reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar across several hours. It is pass/fail, so you pick your level in advance. Years of Italian media had put me in a weird spot where I could comfortably talk about GDP trends but was rusty on everyday small talk. The prep helped me fill those gaps.
Why it matters
I had always told people my Italian was fluent, but I had nothing to prove it. Now I do. If you are considering taking the CELI or something similar, find a tutor who knows the format and practice under timed conditions. Focus on the skills you use least in daily life.